Immediate and early postoperative pain relief after kyphoplasty without significant restoration of vertebral body height in acute osteoporotic vertebral fractures

[Current surgical treatment concepts for traumatic fractures of the thoracic and lumbar spine with osteoporotic bone substance]

Osteoporosis-related vertebral fractures are among the most frequent fracture entities in geriatric patients. They are associated with far-reaching individual and socioeconomic consequences. Adequate diagnostics and treatment are therefore essential. The osteoporotic fracture (OF) score is a central element in determining the right treatment. Although the majority of fractures can be healed with conservative treatment, a change of treatment should be considered in good time in cases of failure. Isolated cement augmentation procedures are particularly suitable for reducing pain in primarily stable osteoporotic vertebral fractures with a preserved framework structure (OF types 1-3) and a largely intact posterior edge. Dorsal cement-augmented stabilization with cementing of the fractured vertebral body leads to good results in unstable OF types 3 and 4 fractures. Dorsoventral procedures with cement-augmented internal fixator from the dorsal side and vertebral body replacement from the ventral side play a more subordinate role. Purely ventral procedures should be avoided in this patient group.

Tripod-Fix device for the treatment of painful osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures

Current vertebral augmentation procedures (VAPs) often involve devices associated with bone cement leakage. Tripod-Fix is designed to mitigate the risk of bone cement leakage by expanding in three dimensions to fit a narrower vertebral space. This study enrolled 12 patients diagnosed with osteoprorotic vertebral compression fractures (VCFs) for 12 month follow up. The primary outcomes assessed were changes in the Visual Analog Score (VAS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) before and after treatment. Our results demonstrated significant pain relief with VAS decreasing from 8.58 ± 1.83 to 2.75 ± 1.54 cm and improved mobility with ODI decreasing from 73.67 ± 16.29 to 31.83 ± 23.33% post-treatment and sustained for 12 months. Follow-up radiographs revealed no device-related adverse events such as cement leakage, vertebral body collapse, or adjacent vertebral fractures (AVFs). In addition, the mean anterior height restoration ratio after treatment was 15.87 ± 5.13%. Our preliminary findings suggest that Tripod-Fix exhibits safety and efficacy comparable to the third-generation devices currently utilized for treating osteoporotic VCFs.

The clinical effect of different vertebral body height restoration rates after percutaneous kyphoplasty for osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to evaluate the clinical effect of different vertebral body heights restoration rate after percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP) for the treatment of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCF).

METHODS

The patients were divided into two groups according to the height restoration rate of the anterior edge of the vertebral body fracture after PKP operation using X-Ray imaging. The group A was below 80%, and the group B was above 80%. Clinical preoperative and postoperative efficacy (1st day, 1st month, 6th month, and 12th month after surgery) were evaluated according to VAS, Oswestry Disability Index(ODI), Quality of Life Questionnaire of the European Foundation for Osteoporosis(QUALEFFO), and Back Pain Life Disorder Questionnaire(RQD). Simultaneously, the preoperative and postoperative local Cobb angles and changes in the injured vertebrae in the two groups were calculated and analyzed.

RESULTS

The postoperative Cobb angle in group A was significantly higher than that in group B. The correction rate in group B was significantly better than that in group A. The VAS, ODI, QUALEFFO, and RQD scores of group B patients were significantly lower than those of patients in group A at each follow-up time point. The correlation coefficients of vertebral body height restoration rate and VAS, ODI, QUALEFFO, and RQD scores at the last follow-up were - 0.607 (P < 0.01), -0.625 (P < 0.01), -0.696 (P < 0.01), and - 0.662 (P < 0.01), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of the correlation analysis between the vertebral body height restoration rate and the above clinical efficacy scores show that increasing the vertebral body anterior height restoration rate is beneficial for pain relief and improves the clinical efficacy of patients. Simultaneously, improving the height restoration rate of the anterior edge of the vertebral body and restoring the normal spinal structure is beneficial for reducing the incidence of refracture of the adjacent vertebral body.

Effectiveness and Safety of Vertebral Body Stenting for Acute Spinal Compression Fractures due to Primary Osteoporosis: A Multicenter Prospective Clinical Study

INTRODUCTION

Segmental spinal deformity results from vertebral compression fracture (VCF) and progressive collapse of the fractured vertebral body (VB). The VB stenting (VBS) systemⓇ comprises a balloon-assisted, expandable, intrasomatic, metal stent that helps maintain the restored VB during balloon removal and cement injection, which minimizes cement leakage. We performed a prospective, multicenter, clinical trial of the VBS system in Japanese patients with acute VCF owing to primary osteoporosis.

METHODS

Herein, 88 patients, 25 men and 63 women aged 77.4±8.3 years, with low back pain, numerical rating scale (NRS) score of ≥4, and mean VB compression percentage (VBCP) of <60% were enrolled. The primary endpoints were the VBCP restoration rate and reduction in low back pain 1 month and 7 days after VBS surgery, respectively. Secondary endpoints included changes in VBCP, NRS pain score, Beck index, kyphosis angle, and quality of life according to the short form 36 (v2) score. Safety was assessed as adverse events, device malfunctions, and new vertebral fractures.

RESULTS

Overall, 70 patients completed the study. VBS surgery increased the restoration rates of anterior and midline VBCP by 31.7%±26.5% (lower 95% confidence intervals (CI): 26.8) and 31.8%±24.6% (lower 95% CI: 27.2), respectively, and the reduction in NRS pain score was -4.5±2.4 (upper 95% CI: -4.0). As these changes were greater than the predetermined primary endpoint values (20% for VBCP and -2 for NRS score), they were judged clinically significant; these changes were maintained throughout the 12-month follow-up (p<0.001). Likewise, significant improvement was observed in the Beck index, kyphosis angle, and quality of life score, which were maintained throughout the follow-up. There were three serious adverse events. New fractures occurred in 12 patients-all in the adjacent VB.

CONCLUSIONS

VBS surgery effectively restored the collapsed VB, relieved low back pain, and was tolerable in patients with acute osteoporotic VB fracture.

Percutaneous kyphoplasty through unilateral puncture on the convex side for the treatment of painful osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture with scoliosis

PURPOSE

To assess the clinical safety, accuracy, and efficacy of percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP) surgery using an enhanced method of unilateral puncture on the convex side for the treatment of painful osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (P-OVCF) with scoliosis.

METHODS

Clinical and radiographic data of P-OVCF patients with scoliosis who underwent PKP via unilateral puncture on the convex side from January 2018 to December 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. This technique's detailed surgical steps and tips were described. The local kyphosis angle (LKA), scoliosis Cobb angle (SCA), and local scoliosis Cobb angle (LSCA) were measured using X-ray and compared at pre-operation, post-operation, and the last follow-up. The width of pedicle (POW), inner inclination angle (IIA), lateral distance (LD), and puncture course length (PCL) were measured on the axial computed tomography image and compared between two sides. Postoperative computed tomography was employed to evaluate the condition of cement distribution and puncture. Clinical outcomes were evaluated using the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for back pain (BP).

RESULTS

Thirty-six patients, 23 women and 13 men, with an average age of 76.31 ± 6.28 years were monitored for 17.69 ± 4.70 months. The median surgical duration of single vertebrae was 35 min. The volume of bone cement for single vertebrae was 3.81 ± 0.87 ml and the proportion of sufficient cement distribution of the patients was 97.22. LKA was considerably improved from pre-operation to post-operation and sustained at the last follow-up. SCA and LSCA were not significantly modified between these three-time points. IIA, PCL, and LD were lower on the convex side than on the concave side. POW was considerably wider on the convex side. The ODI and VAS-BP scores were significantly improved after surgery and sustained during the follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Combining with the proper assessment of the pre-injured life status of patients, PKP surgery using unilateral puncture on the convex side for the treatment of P-OVCF with scoliosis can achieve safe, excellent clinical, and radiographic outcomes.

Polymethyl methacrylate augmentation and proximal junctional kyphosis in adult spinal deformity patients

BACKGROUND

Proximal junctional kyphosis (PJK) is a complication following surgery for adult spinal deformity (ASD) possibly ameliorated by polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) vertebroplasty of the upper instrumented vertebrae (UIV). This study quantifies PJK following surgical correction bridging the thoracolumbar junction ± PMMA vertebroplasty.

METHODS

ASD patients from 2013 to 2020 were retrospectively reviewed and included with immediate postoperative radiographs and at least one follow-up radiograph. PMMA vertebroplasty at the UIV and UIV + 1 was performed at the surgeons' discretion.

RESULTS

Of 102 patients, 56% received PMMA. PMMA patients were older (70 ± 8 vs. 66 ± 10, p = 0.021), more often female (89.3% vs. 68.2%, p = 0.005), and had more osteoporosis (26.8% vs. 9.1%, p = 0.013). 55.4% of PMMA patients developed PJK compared to 38.6% of controls (p = 0.097), and the rate of PJK development was not different between groups in univariate survival models. There was no difference in PJF (p > 0.084). Reoperation rates were 7.1% in PMMA versus 11.4% in controls (p = 0.501). In multivariable models, PJK development was not associated with the use of PMMA vertebroplasty (HR 0.77, 95% CI 0.38-1.60, p = 0.470), either when considered overall in the cohort or specifically in those with poor bone quality. PJK was significantly predicted by poor bone quality irrespective of PMMA use (HR 3.81, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

In thoracolumbar fusions for adult spinal deformity, PMMA vertebroplasty was not associated with reduced PJK development, which was most highly associated with poor bone quality. Preoperative screening and management for osteoporosis is critical in achieving an optimal outcome for these complex operations.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

4, retrospective non-randomized case review.

EFFECTIVENESS AND SAFETY OF SPINEJACK SYSTEM IN THE MANAGEMENT OF VERTEBRAL FRAGILITY FRACTURES: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Introduction: The SpineJackⓇ (SJ) system received FDA clearance in 2018, therefore this device is currently available to perform kyphoplasty in osteoporotic vertebral fractures. This study aims to assess the outcome of the SJ system in the management of vertebral fragility fractures (VFFs).

Evidence Acquisition and Synthesis: OVID-MEDLINEⓇ, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, SCOPUS, Springer Link, Web of Science, Google Scholar and PubMed were searched from January 2015 to November 2021 to identify relevant studies. The methodological qualities of the studies were evaluated, and relevant data were extracted.

Seven clinical trials, recruiting 644 patients with 690 VFFs were included. Although PVP, balloon kyphoplast (BKP) and SJ showed comparable effectiveness in back pain relief in patients with VFFs, SJ showed a faster and higher pain relief and a better quality of life, compared with the other two augmentation techniques. Moreover, patients treated with SJ, compared with PVP and BKP, showed a better vertebral body height (VBH) restoration and kyphotic correction; these findings were confirmed also at long-term follow-up. Asymptomatic cement leakage and adjacent level fractures (ALFs) were observed in patients treated with SJ, but with a lower incidence compared with PVP and BKP.

Conclusions: This systematic review shows that SJ has an excellent risk/benefit profile and is more effective than the other augmentation techniques in VBH restoration and kyphotic correction. These findings correlate with a better postoperative quality of life.

Robot-Assisted Kyphoplasty versus Fluoroscopy-Assisted Kyphoplasty: A Meta-Analysis of Postoperative Outcomes

Osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures are the most common manifestation of osteoporosis. Percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP) can lead to both pain improvement and correction of kyphosis secondary to collapsed vertebral bodies. Robot-assisted (RA) PKP has been reported to provide better vertebral body fracture correction than conventional fluoroscopy-assisted (FA) PKP. The aim of this meta-analysis is to compare clinical outcomes of RA PKP versus FA PKP. The Pubmed, Embase, and MEDLINE electronic databases were searched from January 1900 to December 2022, with no language restrictions for relevant articles. We extracted the preoperative and postoperative mean pain score and standard deviation from the included studies and pooled them using an inverse variance method. Statistical analyses were performed using functions available in the metafor package in R software. The results of this meta-analysis were summarized with weighted mean differences (WMDs). Our search strategy identified 181 references from the Pubmed, Embase, and MEDLINE electronic databases. We excluded duplicates and irrelevant references, after screening titles and abstracts. The remaining 12 studies were retrieved for full-text review, and, finally, we included five retrospective cohort studies from 2015 to 2021, comprising 223 patients undergoing RA PKP and 246 patients undergoing FA PKP. No difference was found in subgroup analysis based on the timing of postoperative pain assessment, despite the overall estimate of postoperative pain indicating a significant difference between the RA PKP and FA PKP groups (WMD, −0.22; 95% CI, −0.39 to −0.05). The long-term pain assessment revealed a significantly lower VAS in the RA PKP group than the FA PKP group at six months postoperatively (WMD, −0.15; 95% CI, −0.30 to −0.01), but no difference between the subgroups at three (WMD, 0.06; 95% CI, −0.41 to −0.54) and twelve months (WMD, −0.10; 95% CI, −0.50 to 0.30) postoperatively. Our meta-analysis revealed no significant difference in postoperative pain between RA PKP and FA PKP. Patients undergoing RA PKP had better pain improvement compared to FA PKP at 6 months postoperatively. However, further studies focusing on long-term outcomes in patients undergoing RA PKP are warranted to clarify its benefit, given the small number of included studies.

Therapeutic Efficacy of Third-Generation Percutaneous Vertebral Augmentation System (PVAS) in Osteoporotic Vertebral Compression Fractures (OVCFs): A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Purpose

This study aimed to assess whether the third-generation PVAS was superior to percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) or percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP) in treating patients with OVCFs.

Methods

Databases, including Pubmed, Embase, and Cochrane library, were searched to identify relevant interventional and observational articles in vivo or in vitro comparing the third-generation PVAS to PVP/PKP in OVCFs patients. A meta-analysis was performed under the guidelines of the Cochrane Reviewer's Handbook.

Results

11 in vivo articles involving 1035 patients with 1320 segments of diseased vertebral bodies and 8 in vitro studies enrolling 40 specimens with 202 vertebral bodies were identified. The vivo studies indicated no significant differences were found in visual analog scale (VAS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), operation time, or injected cement volume (P > 0.05). The third-generation PVAS was associated with significant improvement in vertebral height and Cobb angle (P < 0.05) and also with a significantly lower risk of cement leakages and new fractures (P < 0.05). The vitro studies suggest that the third-generation PVAS was associated with better anterior vertebral height (AVH) and kyphotic angle (KA) after deflation and cement. No significant differences were found in stiffness or failure load after cement between the two groups (P > 0.05).

Conclusion

Based on current evidence, although providing similar improvement in VAS and ODI, the third-generation PVAS may be superior to PVP/PKP in local kyphosis correction, vertebral height maintenance, and adverse events reduction. Further high-quality randomized studies are required to confirm these results.

Minimally Invasive Stent Screw-Assisted Internal Fixation Technique Corrects Kyphosis in Osteoporotic Vertebral Fractures with Severe Collapse: A Pilot "Vertebra Plana" Series

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Fractures with "vertebra plana" morphology are characterized by severe vertebral body collapse and segmental kyphosis; there is no established treatment standard for these fractures. Vertebroplasty and balloon kyphoplasty might represent an undertreatment, but surgical stabilization is challenging in an often elderly osteoporotic population. This study assessed the feasibility, clinical outcome, and radiologic outcome of the stent screw-assisted internal fixation technique using a percutaneous implant of vertebral body stents and cement-augmented pedicle screws in patients with non-neoplastic vertebra plana fractures.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Thirty-seven consecutive patients with vertebra plana fractures were treated with the stent screw-assisted internal fixation technique. Vertebral body height, local and vertebral kyphotic angles, outcome scales (numeric rating scale and the Patient's Global Impression of Change), and complications were assessed. Imaging and clinical follow-up were obtained at 1 and 6 months postprocedure.

RESULTS

Median vertebral body height restoration was 7 mm (+74%), 9 mm (+150%), and 3 mm (+17%) at the anterior wall, middle body, and posterior wall, respectively. Median local and vertebral kyphotic angles correction was 8° and 10° and was maintained through the 6-month follow-up. The median numeric rating scale score improved from 8/10 preprocedure to 3/10 at 1 and 6 months (P < .001). No procedural complications occurred.

CONCLUSIONS

The stent screw-assisted internal fixation technique was effective in obtaining height restoration, kyphosis correction, and pain relief in patients with severe vertebral collapse.

Percutaneous Cement-Augmented Screws Short Fixation for the treatment of Severe Osteoporotic Vertebral Burst Fractures

OBJECTIVE (BACKGROUND)

This study aims to evaluate the therapeutic reliability of posterior percutaneous cement-augmented screws short fixation(PASF) in patients with severe osteoporotic vertebral burst fractures(OVBFs).

METHODS

Single-level OVBFs with an anterior vertebral body height(VBH) reduction equal or superior to 60% were included. A frailty index was employed for preoperative frailty assessment. Back pain and related disability were assessed through the VAS scale and Oswestry low-back pain disability index(ODI), being administered at injury time, preoperative, postoperative, twelfth-month and last patient follow-up evaluations. The main radiological outcomes were represented by Cobb angle(CA) and anterior vertebral body compression percentage(AVBC%), being measured at injury time, preoperative, postoperative and twelfth-month examinations. Among the others, the incidence of cement leakages and hardware failures was assessed.

RESULTS

Thirty-three patients met the inclusion criteria. All patients resulted frail(76%) or semi-frail(24%). Significant VBH restoration and segmental kyphosis improvement after PASF was documented (AVBC%:-40(-43;-37) VS -67(-70;-65), P = 0.0001; CA: 10(8-12) VS 24(23-26), P = 0.0001). The mean VAS and ODI scores documented optimal and long-enduring pain relief and related disability reduction after PASF (VAS: 2(2-3) VS 8(7-8), P = 0.0001; ODI: 22(17-26) VS 64(60-69), P = 0.0001). Only one cement leakage (3%), asymptomatic, occurred. After a mean follow-up of 33 months, no early/late hardware failures were reported.

CONCLUSIONS

The clinical and radiological results of this study suggest that PASF could be a safe and effective treatment option for severe OVBFs when conservative treatments failed.

Risk factors of vertebral re-fracture after PVP or PKP for osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures, especially in Eastern Asia: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective

Percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) and kyphoplasty (PKP) have been widely used to treat osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCF), but the risk of vertebral re-fracture after PVP/PKP remains controversial. This study aims to investigate the incidence and risk factors of vertebral re-fracture after PVP/PKP.

Methods

Relevant literatures published up to November 2021 were collected from PubMed, Embase and Web of Science. A meta-analysis was performed to extract data associated with risk factors of SVCF following the PRISMA guidelines. Also, pooled odds ratio (OR) or weighted mean difference (WMD) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated.

Results

A total of 23 studies, encompassing 9372 patients with OVCF, met the inclusion criteria. 1255 patients (13.39%) suffered re-fracture after PVP/PKP surgery. A total of 22 studies were from Eastern Asia and only 1 study was from Europe. Female sex (OR = 1.34, 95%CI 1.09–1.64, P = 0.006), older age (WMD = 2.04, 95%CI 0.84–3.24, P = 0.001), lower bone mineral density (BMD, WMD = − 0.38, 95%CI − 0.49–0.26, P < 0.001) and bone cement leakages (OR = 2.05, 95% CI 1.40–3.00, P < 0.001) increased the risk of SVCF. The results of subgroup analysis showed the occurrence of re-fracture was significantly associated with gender (P = 0.002), age (P = 0.001) and BMD (P < 0.001) in Eastern Asia. Compared with the unfractured group, anterior-to-posterior vertebral body height ratio (AP ratio, WMD = 0.06, 95%CI 0.00–0.12, P = 0.037) and visual analog scale score (VAS, WMD = 0.62, 95%CI 0.09–1.15, P = 0.022) were higher in the refracture group, and kyphotic angle correction ratio (Cobb ratio, WMD = − 0.72, 95%CI − 1.26–0.18, P = 0.008) was smaller in Eastern Asia. In addition, anti-osteoporosis treatment (OR = 0.40, 95% CI 0.27–0.60, P < 0.001) could be a protective factor.

Conclusion

The main factors associated with re-fracture after PVP/PKP are sex, age, bone mineral density, AP ratio, Cobb ratio, VAS score, bone cement leakage and anti-osteoporosis treatment, especially in Eastern Asia.

Expandable Intravertebral Implants: A Narrative Review on the Concept, Biomechanics, and Outcomes in Traumatology

Expandable intravertebral implants are self-expanding devices applied percutaneously by the posterior transpedicular approach. These devices introduce the concept of anatomical restoration of vertebral body endplates and direct anatomical reduction performed from the interior of the vertebral body with a compression fracture. This paper aims to provide a narrative review on the concept, indications, biomechanical characteristics, as well as functional and radiographic outcomes of the main expandable intravertebral implants currently available, in terms of their application to thoracolumbar spine traumatology. To this end, we performed a search in July 2021 on the MEDLINE/PubMed platform with the words "expandable intravertebral implant", "armed kyphoplasty", "Vertebral Body Stenting" or "stentoplasty" and "SpineJack". The search yielded 144 papers, and of those, we included 15 in this review. We concluded that percutaneous transpedicular posterior access, the ability to reduce vertebral body fractures, particularly of the vertebral endplates and to maintain the vertebral body height, makes the application of expandable intravertebral implants an attractive option in the treatment of thoracolumbar vertebral compression fractures. However, more prospective, randomized, and large-scale blinded studies are still warranted, especially comparative studies between treatments and about the preferential use of an expansive implant over others, in order to gain definitive insights into the effectiveness and indications of each of these devices.

Safety and efficacy studies of kyphoplasty, mesh-container-plasty, and pedicle screw fixation plus vertebroplasty for thoracolumbar osteoporotic vertebral burst fractures

Background

Percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP), percutaneous mesh-container-plasty (PMCP), and pedicle screw fixation plus vertebroplasty (PSFV) were three methods for osteoporotic vertebral burst fractures (OVBF). The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the clinical safety and efficacy of PKP, PMCP, and PSFV for OVBFs.

Methods

This retrospective study included 338 consecutive patients with thoracolumbar OVBFs who underwent PKP (n = 111), PMCP (n = 109), or PSFV (n = 118) and compared their epidemiological data, surgical outcomes, and clinical and radiological features. Clinical evaluations of VAS and ODI and radiological evaluations of height restoration, deformity correction, cement leakage, and canal compromise were calculated preoperatively, postoperatively, and 2 years postoperatively.

Results

Cement leakage (31/111 vs. 13/109 and 16/118, P < 0.05) was significantly higher in group PKP than in groups PSFV and PMCP. VAS and ODI scores improved postoperatively from 7.04 ± 1.15 and 67.11 ± 13.49 to 2.27 ± 1.04 and 22.00 ± 11.20, respectively, in group PKP (P < 0.05); from 7.04 ± 1.29 and 67.26 ± 12.79 to 2.17 ± 0.98 and 21.01 ± 7.90, respectively, in group PMCP (P < 0.05); and from 7.10 ± 1.37 and 67.36 ± 13.11 to 3.19 ± 1.06 and 33.81 ± 8.81, respectively, in the PSFV group (P < 0.05). Moreover, postoperative VAS and ODI scores were significantly higher in group PSFV than in groups PKP and PMCP (P < 0.05). However, VAS scores were not significantly different in the three groups 2 years postoperatively (P > 0.05). Postoperative anterior (81.04 ± 10.18% and 87.51 ± 8.94% vs. 93.46 ± 6.42%, P < 0.05) and middle vertebral body height ratio (83.01 ± 10.16% and 87.79 ± 11.62% vs. 92.38 ± 6.00%, P < 0.05) were significantly higher in group PSFV than in groups PMCP and PKP. Postoperatively, Cobb angle (10.04 ± 4.26° and 8.16 ± 5.76° vs. 4.97 ± 4.60°, P < 0.05) and canal compromise (20.76 ± 6.32 and 19.85 ± 6.18 vs. 10.18 ± 6.99, P < 0.05) were significantly lower in group PSFV than in groups PMCP and PKP.

Conclusion

Despite relatively worse radiological results, PMCP is a safe and minimally invasive surgical method that can obtain better short-term clinical results than PKP and PSFV for OVBFs.

Percutaneous mesh-container-plasty for osteoporotic thoracolumbar burst fractures: A prospective, nonrandomized comparative study

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to compare the clinical and radiological results of percutaneous mesh-container-plasty (PMCP) versus percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP) in the treatment of osteoporotic thoracolumbar burst fractures.

METHODS

A prospective study of 122 patients with osteoporotic thoracolumbar burst fractures was conducted. The patients were nonrandomly assigned to receive PKP (62; 16 men, 46 women) and PMCP (60; 14 men, 46 women). The epidemiological data, surgical outcomes, and clinical and radiological features were compared between the 2 groups. Cement leakage, height restoration, deformity correction, canal compromise, and cement distribution were calculated from the radiographs. Visual pain analog scale (VAS), the Oswestry disability index (ODI), and short-form 36 health survey domains role physical (SF-36 rp) and bodily pain (SF-36 bp) were calculated before surgery and immediately and 2 years after surgery.

RESULTS

Although VAS, ODI, SF-36 bp, and SF-36 rp scores improved from 7 (6-9), 71.28±16.38, 22 (0-32), and 25 (0-50) preoperatively to 2 (1-3), 20.02±8.97, 84 (84-84), and 75 (75-100) immediately postoperatively in the PMCP group (p<0.05) and from 7 (6-8), 71.40±13.52, 22 (10.5-31.75), and 25 (0-50) preoperatively to 2 (1-3), 21.78±11.21, 84 (84-84), and 75 (75-100) immediately postoperatively in the PKP group (p<0.05), there was no difference between the 2 groups. The mean cost in the PKP group was less than that in the PMCP group ($5109±231 vs. $6699±201, p<0.05). Anterior, middle, and posterior vertebral body height ratios in the PMCP group were greater than those in the PKP group postoperatively (88.44%±3.76% vs. 81.10%±11.78%, 86.15%±3.50% vs. 82.30%±11.02%, and 93.91%±3.01% vs. 91.43%±6.71%, respectively, p<0.05). The Cobb angle in the PMCP group was lower than that in the PKP group postoperatively (6.67°±4.39° vs. 8.99°±4.06°, p<0.05). Cement distribution in the PMCP group was higher than that in the PKP group (30.48%±5.62% vs. 27.18%±4.87%, p<0.05). Cement leakage was observed to be lesser in the PMCP group (2/60) than in the PKP group (10 vs. 62, p<0.05).

CONCLUSION

Both PKP and PMCP treatments seem to have significant ability in pain relief and functional recovery. Despite its higher cost, PMCP treatment may have a better inhibition ability of cement leakage, cement distribution, height restoration, and improvement in segmental kyphosis than PKP treatment for osteoporotic thoracolumbar burst fractures.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level II, Therapeutic Study.

Vertebral fragility fractures: clinical and radiological results of augmentation and fixation-a systematic review of randomized controlled clinical trials

AIM

To assess the outcome of augmentation techniques, i.e., percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP), balloon kyphoplasty (BKP), vertebral body stenting (VBS) and fixation techniques in the management of vertebral fragility fractures (VFFs).

METHODS

OVID-MEDLINE®, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, SCOPUS, Springer Link, Web of Science, Google Scholar and PubMed were searched from January 2009 to February 2019 to identify relevant studies. The methodological qualities of the studies were evaluated and relevant data were extracted.

RESULTS

Thirteen randomized controlled trials, recruiting 1963 patients, were included. PVP, compared with conservative management (CM), showed a greater pain relief and an improved vertebral body height (VBH) restoration. Moreover, PVP revealed superior to a sham procedure for pain relief in acute VFFs. BKP, compared with CM, rapidly reduces pain and improves quality of life without increasing the risk of additional VFFs. BKP, compared with PVP, has fewer cement leakage rates and is more effective in VBH restoration. BKP should also be preferred to VBS, since it is associated with less material-related complications. Pedicle screw fixation associated with PVP, compared with PVP alone, revealed effective in preventing secondary VFFs.

CONCLUSIONS

BKP showed better clinical and radiological outcomes compared with CM and PVP. BKP revealed as effective as VBS in VBH restoration with less material-related complications.

Vertebral height restoration following kyphoplasty

Background

Kyphoplasty is a minimally invasive surgery developed to restore height and stabilize painful vertebral compression fractures (VCFs). Only small retrospective studies have addressed the correlation between the degree of vertebral height restoration as it relates to pain relief and postoperative activity levels. No definitive correlations have been established. The objective of this analysis is to determine how height restoration correlates with improvements in pain, disability and quality of life.

Methods

We assessed outcomes following kyphoplasty in 59 Medicare-eligible patients with 1-3 painful VCFs between T5 and L5 due to osteoporosis or cancer. Pre and postoperative lateral radiographs were available for fifty-nine patients and were used to measure anterior, middle and posterior vertebral body (VB) heights. The Visual Analog Scale (VAS) [range: 0 (none) to 10 (worst)] was used to prospectively measure back pain pre and post-operatively in all patients. Pre and post-operative measurements of disability and quality of life were retrospectively collected using the Roland Morris Disability Index (RMDI) [range: 0 (no disability) to 24 (high disability)] and EuroQol5-Domain scale (EQ5D) [range: -0.11 (poor quality of life) to 1.0 (perfect health)]. Pearson correlations and linear regression models were analyzed for association of VB height improvement with outcomes.

Results

Neither Pearson correlations (r coefficient range: 0.001-0.152) nor linear regression models (R² value range: 0.0002-0.1133) revealed correlation or association between VB height improvements and outcomes.

Conclusions

This is one of the largest studies to date assessing associations of VB height restoration following kyphoplasty with prospective measurements of pain and retrospective evaluation of disability and quality of life using validated instruments. Although a majority of patients in this cohort demonstrated increased vertebral heights and significant improvements in outcomes, none of the outcomes showed association with height improvements. Regardless of vertebral height improvements, most patients had improved pain, function and quality of life.

Radiological evaluation of kyphoplasty with an intravertebral expander after osteoporotic vertebral fracture

Spinal deformities due to osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures can be reduced by balloon kyphoplasty, but the correction may be partly lost when the balloon is deflated. The present study aimed to evaluate an intravertebral expander developed to reduce and maintain vertebral body height while cement is injected to correct spinal deformities due to osteoporotic vertebral fractures. The study included 31 osteoporotic vertebral body fractures in 31 patients, classified as A1 according to the AO classification, who underwent kyphoplasty using an intravertebral expander. The kyphosis angle was significantly corrected from 13.4 degrees prior to kyphoplasty to 10.8 degrees (p < 0.01) after surgery, but this correction was lost at 12 months (13.3 degrees). The correction of the kyphosis angle best correlated with the pre-operative mobility of the fracture (r = 0.59, p < 0.01), and the loss of the kyphosis improvement correlated with the amount of correction (r = 0.49, p = 0.01). All patients, except for six with adjacent vertebral fractures, experienced significant pain reduction (VAS 8.7 pre-operatively and 2.0 at 12 months; p < 0.01), and the pain was not affected by the correction of the spinal deformity or the loss of correction in the follow-up period. These results suggest that the mobility of the fracture mainly determines the extent of deformity correction rather the device used for reduction, and greater corrections are at increased risk for losing the improvement. © 2018 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 37:457-465, 2019.

The Outcome of Radiofrequency Kyphoplasty in the Treatment of Vertebral Compression Fractures in Osteoporotic Patients

Study Design

Retrospective study.

Purpose

The study aims to assess the effectiveness and safety of radiofrequency (RF) kyphoplasty in the treatment of vertebral compression fractures (VCFs) in osteoporotic patients.

Overview of Literature

Vertebroplasty and balloon kyphoplasty are established procedures for the treatment of osteoporotic VCFs. However, RF kyphoplasty is a new method which controls cement viscosity.

Methods

We reviewed the results of 41 consecutive patients with 23 thoracic and 38 lumbar VCFs who underwent RF kyphoplasty. The study population included 14 males (34%) and 27 females (66%). The mean patients age was 78 years (range, 51–89 years), and the follow-up period was 1 year. Clinical and radiographic analyses were performed during follow-up at 6 weeks, 6 months, and 1 year. All patients were assessed clinically pre- and postoperative using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). Radiological assessment with X-ray in two views preoperatively, postoperatively, and during follow-up visits.

Results

The mean preoperative VAS was 8.7 (range, 5–10; standard deviation [SD], 1.2). Postoperatively, VAS decreased by 3.3 (range, 2–5; SD, 0.9). At the end of the follow-up, VAS decreased by 1.22 (range, 0–7; SD, 1.6). The mean preoperative ODI score was 85.9, decreasing to 9.6 postoperatively and improving to 18.4 during the 1-year follow-up. The mean local kyphotic angle was 9.04° before the procedure and decreased by a mean of 6.16° after the operation and at the end of the follow-up. The mean increase in vertebral body height was 3.3 mm postoperatively and after 1-year follow-up. The rate of cement leakage was 8% (five out of 61 levels of fracture).

Conclusions

RF kyphoplasty is a safe and effective augmentation technique with an advantage of controlling the cement viscosity to minimize the risk of cement leakage. It also shortens operation time.

The Safety and Efficacy of CT-Guided, Fluoroscopy-Free Vertebroplasty in Adult Spinal Deformity Surgery

OBJECTIVE

The goal of this study is to analyze the safety and efficacy of a novel technique of computed tomography-guided, fluoroscopy-free vertebroplasty as an adjunct to help prevent proximal junction kyphosis (PJK) in long-segment posterior spinal fusions.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective analysis of 118 consecutive patients with adult spinal deformity who underwent long-segment fusion with vertebroplasty augmentation from 2013-2016 at a single institution. For each patient, we collected demographics, surgical information, length of stay, discharge disposition, and complications, including reoperation, PJK, and PJK requiring reoperation. We reviewed all postoperative radiographs to assess for cement leakage from vertebroplasty. These patients were compared to a historical control of 253 patients who underwent adult spinal deformity surgery without vertebroplasty augmentation.

RESULTS

The PJK rate of 14% and the PJK requiring reoperation rate of 3% in the cohort of 118 patients who underwent vertebroplasty-augmented fusion was significantly lower than that of the 253 historical controls at our institution who did not undergo vertebroplasty (40% PJK rate, 17% PJK-rate requiring reoperation; both P < 0.001). After controlling for patient and other surgical factors in multivariate analyses, vertebroplasty was significantly associated with lower rates of PJK and PJK requiring reoperation (P < 0.001 and P = 0.003).

CONCLUSIONS

Our novel vertebroplasty technique is safe, and it eliminates the need for additional fluoroscopy in cases already using the O-arm to verify screw placement. In addition, it is an effective technique for reducing PJK in adult spinal deformity surgery compared with historical institutional controls.

Percutaneous balloon kyphoplasty for the treatment of very severe osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures: a case-control study

BACKGROUND CONTEXT

Controversy exists regarding percutaneous balloon kyphoplasty (PBK) in patients with a very severe osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture (vsOVCF).

PURPOSE

The study was conducted to investigate the clinical and radiological outcomes of PBK for the treatment of vsOVCF compared with those of non-vsOVCF.

STUDY DESIGN/SETTING

This is a retrospective, case-control study.

PATIENT SAMPLE

A total of 167 consecutive patients (210 vertebral bodies) who underwent PBK for OVCF between March 2010 and January 2015 were assessed.

OUTCOME MEASURES

Visual analog scale (VAS) scores for back pain, Korean Oswestry disability index (K-ODI) scores, vertebral body height variations, and kyphotic angles were evaluated preoperatively, postoperatively, and 1 year after treatment.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients in the non-vsOVCF group (anterior vertebral compression of more than two-thirds on plain radiograph) who had undergone PBK where compared with those in the non-vsOVCF group (compression between 30% and two-thirds). Clinical and radiological outcomes were compared. In addition, complications were evaluated.

RESULTS

In total, 31 patients (33 vertebrae) in the vsOVCF group and 136 patients (177 vertebrae) in the non-vsOVCF group were treated with PBK. Both groups had significant postoperative improvements in the clinical and radiological outcomes (VAS score, K-ODI score, vertebral body height variation, and kyphotic angle). There was no difference regarding the VAS score and the K-ODI score between the two groups at the final follow-up (p>.05). The cement leakage occurred frequently in the vsOVCF group (26 vertebrae, 78.8%) than in the non-vsOVCF group (92 vertebrae, 52.0%), the difference was statistically significant (p<.05). But there was no case that showed neurologic complication or pulmonary embolism caused by cement leakage. The incidence of recollapse was significantly higher in the vsOVCF group (five vertebrae, 15.2%) than in the non-vsOVCF group (seven vertebrae, 4.0%) (p<.05). The incidence of an adjacent segment fracture (vsOVCF group, 6 vertebrae, 18.2%; non-vsOVCF group, 21 vertebrae, 11.9%) was not significantly different (p=.320).

CONCLUSIONS

Percutaneous balloon kyphoplasty is a safe and effective procedure for the treatment of vsOVCF.

Incremental temperature cement delivery technique may prevent cement leakage in metastatic vertebral lesions

OBJECTIVES

To analyze the clinical efficacy and cement leakage rate of percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP) for the treatment of metastatic vertebral lesions between the two groups using different cement infusion techniques.

METHODS

One hundred twenty-nine patients (160 metastatic vertebral fractures) who chose "the incremental temperature cement delivery technique" (ITCDT group) and 105 patients (128 metastatic vertebral fractures) who chose "traditional infusion technique" (TI group) were finally enrolled (nine patients were lost to the follow-up). The visual analog scale (VAS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), the local Cobb's angle, the relative height of the vertebral anterior border, and cement leakage were analyzed to evaluate the clinical efficacy of the two cement infusion techniques within postoperative 12 months.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference in the VAS scores, ODI scores, the relative height of the vertebral anterior border, and local Cobb's angle between the ITCDT group and TI group preoperatively and postoperatively ( p > 0.05). The cement leakage occurred in three patients of ITCDT group (2.3%), which was significantly less than TI group (12 patients, 11.4%; p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The ITCDT and TI technique in kyphoplasty are effective at relieving pain and improving functional disability, vertebral height, and kyphosis angle; However, kyphoplasty using the ITCDT causes less cement leakage significantly.

Analysis of Pre- and Postoperative Pain Variation in Osteoporotic Vertebral Compression Fracture Patients Undergoing Kyphoplasty

Background

Balloon kyphoplasty (KP) has been widely applied in the treatment of elderly patients with osteoporosis vertebral compression fracture (OVCF), but there has been little research on the pain relief effect. Therefore, we performed this study of patients who received KP. The study included a set of fluoroscopy tests and follow-up evaluation, which aimed to verify the effectiveness of kyphoplasty in controlling back pain associated with OVCFs.

Material/Methods

Forty-three OVCF patients underwent kyphoplasty: 21 were allocated to an intervention group and 22 were allocated to a control group, and the 2 groups received treatment with different KP instruments. The variation of vertebral height was measured on X-ray and change of signal of MRI was recorded. The pain was assessed by VAS score and diagram, and physical function was evaluated by ODI. The complications after surgery were recorded and collated during 2 years of follow-up.

Results

The intervention group showed no significant difference on the VAS and ODI compared to the control group (p>0.05). There was no difference in the VAS with different degrees of radiological change (p>0.05). Signal change on MRI imaging was rare.

Conclusions

Kyphoplasty is a positive way to alleviate early-onset OVCF pain. The change of BME extent in the treated level is unrelated to the relief of back pain after KP.

The effect of prophylactic vertebroplasty on the incidence of proximal junctional kyphosis and proximal junctional failure following posterior spinal fusion in adult spinal deformity: a 5-year follow-up study

BACKGROUND CONTEXT

The incidence of proximal junctional kyphosis (PJK) ranges from 5% to 46% following adult spinal deformity surgery. Approximately 66% to 76% of PJK occurs within 3 months of surgery. A subset of these patients, reportedly 26% to 47%, develop proximal junctional failure (PJF) within 6 months postoperatively. To date, there are no studies evaluating the impact of prophylactic vertebroplasty on PJK and PJF incidence at long-term follow-up.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the long-term radiographic and clinical outcomes, and incidence of PJK and PJF, after prophylactic vertebroplasty for long-segment thoracolumbar posterior spinal fusion (PSF).

STUDY DESIGN

This is a prospective cohort study.

PATIENT SAMPLE

Thirty-nine patients, of whom 87% were female, who underwent two-level prophylactic vertebroplasty at the upper instrumented and supra-adjacent vertebrae at the time of index PSF were included in this study.

OUTCOME MEASURES

Clinical outcomes were assessed using the Scoliosis Research Society-22 (SRS-22), and Short-Form (SF) 36 questionnaires, and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). Radiographic parameters including PJK angle, and coronal and sagittal alignment, were calculated, along with relevant perioperative complications and revision rates.

METHODS

Of the 41 patients who received two-level prophylactic vertebroplasty at the upper instrumented and supra-adjacent vertebrae at the time of index PSF, and comprised a cohort with previously published 2-year follow-up data, 39 (95%) completed 5-year follow-up (average: 67.6 months). Proximal junctional kyphosis was defined as a change in the PJK angle ≥10° between the immediate postoperative and final follow-up radiograph. Proximal junctional failure was defined as acute proximal junctional fracture, fixation failure, or kyphosis requiring extension of fusion within the first 6 months postoperatively.

RESULTS

Thirty-nine patients with a mean age of 65.6 (41-87) years were included in this study. Of the 39 patients, 28.2% developed PJK (11: 7.7% at 2 years, 20.5% between 2 and 5 years), and 5.1% developed acute PJF. Two of the 11 PJK patients required revision for progressive worsening of the PJK. There were no proximal junctional fractures. There was no significant difference in preoperative, immediate postoperative, and final follow-up measurements of thoracic kyphosis, lumbar lordosis, and coronal or sagittal alignment between patients who developed PJK, PJF, or neither (p>.05). There was no significant difference in ODI, SRS-22, or SF-36 scores between those with and without PJK or PJF (p>.05).

CONCLUSIONS

This long-term follow-up demonstrates that prophylactic vertebroplasty may minimize the risk for junctional failure in the early postoperative period. However, it does not appear to decrease the incidence of PJK at 5 years.

The Vertect Jack Device: A new method for augmentation of vertebral fractures. Clinical study with comparisons to kyphoplasty

BACKGROUND

Kyphoplasty is a proven minimally invasive procedure for the treatment of patients with osteoporotic fractures. By augmentation of fractured vertebral body, however, a very large portion of the intervertebral structures will be destroyed. With the help of a new device (Vertect Jack Device), the erection of the vertebral body will be carried out more gentle.

OBJECTIVE

In the present study, the new method should be clinically tested for efficacy and safety for the first time. As a comparison results of previous treatments with kyphoplasty were used.

METHODS

For Vertect Jack Device study patients with painful vertebral fractures were selected in which conservative treatment had not yielded sufficient results. For comparison random data from the records of patients who had been treated with kyphoplasty were selected. The Vertect Jack Device was placed under the central fractures and then erected. After having restorted the vertebral height the device was removed and cement injected. Clinical and radiological examinations were carried out before and after 1,3, and 6 months.

RESULTS

In the Vertect Jack Device Group the data of 40 patients were evaluated. For group 2 (kyphoplasty) 50 patients were selected. There was a significant difference in the duration of the surgery (Group 1: 27.4, Group 2: 45.9 minutes). A significant difference of 20 mm with regard to the reduction of VAS scores (0-100 mm pain intensity) was detected. Under the application of the Vertect Jack Device an average increase of 3.1 mm of vertebral height was achieved. In group 2, the erection averaged 0.4 mm. A correlation between the postoperative change of vertebral body height and VAS scores could not be detected in both groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The comparative analysis of this study shows that promising results can be achieved with the augmentation of vertebral fractures with the Vertect Jack Device. When compared with kyphoplasty, advantages show in terms of targeted and thus more gentle application possibility and better pain relief over a period of 6 months after surgery. Further study results should help to demonstrate the efficacy and tolerability of the new method.

Effect of an Outer Sleeve on an Inflatable Balloon Tamp in Terms of Height Restoration Under Simulated Physiological Load

STUDY DESIGN

An in vitro biomechanical study.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of an optional sleeve on height restoration and compare it with the fracture reduction achieved by a commercially available inflatable bone tamp under simulated physiological load (110 N).

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

Loss of reduction after bone tamp deflation before cement injection still remains a concern. The optional sleeve surrounds the bone tamp to help maintain height during the kyphoplasty procedure while filling the created cavity with bone cement on the contralateral side.

METHODS

Eighteen osteoporotic vertebral bodies (VBs) (T11-L4) were alternately assigned to 1 of the 2 treatment groups: group A: KYPHON (Kyphon Inc.) and group B: AFFIRM with sleeve (Globus Medical Inc.). The VBs were compressed axially at a rate of 5 mm/min until compressed to 40% of the initial anterior height. The fractured VBs then underwent kyphoplasty with cement augmentation while still maintaining load (110 N). The augmented VBs were then recompressed and anterior VB height (mm) and wedge angle (degrees) were measured initially after mechanically creating an anterior wedge fracture, and after repairing the compression fracture. The effect of kyphoplasty on vertebral height, kyphotic angle, cement volumes, and inflation pressures were compared between the treatment groups. Failure load (N) data were compared between intact and repaired VBs.

RESULTS

Average percentage of lost VB height restored in group A was 30%, compared with 56% for group B. The mean changes in wedge angle were similar to those of vertebral height measurements. No significant difference in mean inflation pressures (group A: 175±37 psi; group B: 160±36 psi) were found between the 2 groups. Average percentage increase in failure load was 241% and 212% in groups A and B, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Some height restoration was observed using the commercially available bone tamp in fractured VBs under simulated physiological load. The use of an outer sleeve significantly enhanced height restoration compared with the inflatable bone tamp alone.

An In Vitro Evaluation of Fracture Reduction Achieved by Inflatable Bone Tamps Under Simulated Physiological Load

STUDY DESIGN

An in vitro biomechanical study.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the fracture reduction achieved by a novel inflatable bone tamp under simulated physiological load.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

Previous biomechanical studies have showed that kyphoplasty allows near-total restoration of lost vertebral height in unloaded conditions and partial height restoration under simulated physiological loads. Clinically, loss of reduction has been observed after bone tamp deflation, before cement injection. The present study evaluated fracture reduction achieved by an inflatable bone tamp during kyphoplasty while maintaining physiological load. Comparison to commercially available inflatable bone tamp was also performed.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Eighteen osteoporotic vertebral bodies (T11-L4) were alternately assigned to one of the 2 treatment groups: group A-AFFIRM (Algea Thearpies, a division of Globus Medical Inc., Audubon, PA); and group B-KYPHON (Kyphon Inc., Sunnyvale, CA). The vertebral bodies were compressed axially on an MTS Bionix 858 machine at a rate of 5 mm/min until compressed to 40% of the initial anterior height. Load versus displacement was recorded. The fractured VBs then underwent kyphoplasty with cement augmentation. The augmented vertebral bodies were then recompressed and anterior vertebral body height (mm) and wedge angle (degrees) was measured initially, after mechanically creating an anterior wedge fracture, and after repairing the compression fracture. Each vertebral body was subjected to 111 N load to simulate in vivo physiological loading during inflation and cement augmentation. The vertebral height, wedge angle, cement volume, and inflation pressures were compared between the treatment groups using an unpaired t test (P<0.05). Failure loads were compared between intact and repaired VBs using a paired t test (P<0.05).

RESULTS

Average lost height restored in group A was 29%, and 30% in group B compared to the compressed state. Similar trends were observed in the mean changes of vertebral body wedge angle in both the groups. No significant difference in mean inflation pressures (group A 182±33 psi; group B 175±37 psi) were found between the 2 groups. Average percentage increase in failure load was 218% and 241% for groups A and B, respectively. Mean injected cement volume was 6.65±0.65 and 6.73±0.41 mL for groups A and B, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Some height restoration was observed using the 2 bone tamps in fractured vertebral bodies under simulated physiological load. The fracture reduction achieved by the 2 inflatable bone tamps was equivalent. No significant difference between mean inflation pressures and failure load was demonstrated between the 2 groups.

Percutaneous vertebral augmentation in fragility fractures-indications and limitations

INTRODUCTION

There is still no general consensus about the management of osteoporotic vertebral fractures. Recommendations depend on type of fracture, grade of instability, bone quality, and general conditions of the patient. Spontaneous fractures may be considered to be treated different compared to cases with high-velocity trauma.

METHODS

According to the DVO, patients without trauma should first be treated conservatively. However, there is no more strict time protocol of 3 or 6 week conservative treatment before operations may be indicated. Surgical criteria are not yet distinctly defined. For highly unstable fractures (type B and C according to the AO Spine Classification), posterior instrumentation with cement augmented screws and as long construct, respectively, is adequate. Current literature has been analysed for diagnostic and therapeutic protocols.

RESULTS

There is no clear operative concept for burst fractures and classic osteoporotic fractures with dynamic ongoing sintering. Percutaneous vertebral augmentation showed to prevent the fractures from ongoing kyphotic deformity and the patients from painful immobilization. Indications and results of classical vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty have been discussed intensively in the literature. Further development included special injection techniques, cements with different viscosities and stenting systems to reach more stable constructs and avoid typical complications, such as cement extrusion.

CONCLUSIONS

This review reports upon indications and limitations of percutaneous vertebral augmentation and the potential development of classifications and therapeutic algorithms.

Review of Percutaneous Kyphoplasty in China

STUDY DESIGN

Review article.

OBJECTIVE

The article mainly reviewed the development and current situation of percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP) in China, aiming to introduce native efforts and progress for PKP procedure on the exploring road.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

Since PKP was first reported in China in 2002, Chinese orthopedic researchers have performed lots of clinical applications and studies on the treatment of osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture, spinal metastatic tumor, hemangioma, myeloma, vertebral nonunion, and so on.

METHODS

We reviewed the papers on PKP published by native researchers in English and Chinese via Pubmed, EMBASE, the Scopus database, and a series of Chinese databases including Wanfang Data, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and the China Science and Technology Journal Database. The large sample capacity researches, convictive systematic analysis, and overviews were mainly elected as convictive evidence to describe the overall situation of clinical outcomes, complications, and the various technical aspects used to improve conventional surgical management and clinical applications of PKP in China.

RESULTS

Until October 2015, 211 articles in English and 2352 studies in Chinese about PKP were reported by 1443 Chinese institutions from 22 provinces around China. More than 50976 patients reported through published articles have received the treatment of PKP. With the technique gradually improved, including puncture, bone cement infusion, vertebral expander instruments, diagnosis, and treatment of special type of vertebral fractures, PKP is performed with the better efficacy and less complication.

CONCLUSION

With the progression of minimally invasive spinal surgery around the world, PKP in China has been performed with a trend towards a rapid, safe, and effective treatment. Digital, real-time and artificial intelligence are the directions of future development of PKP.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

4.

Third-generation percutaneous vertebral augmentation systems

Currently, there is no general consensus about the management of osteoporotic vertebral fractures (OVF). In the past, conservative treatment for at least one month was deemed appropriate for the majority of vertebral fractures. When pain persisted after conservative treatment, it was necessary to consider surgical interventions including: vertebroplasty for vertebral fractures with less than 30% loss of height of the affected vertebral body and kyphoplasty for vertebral fractures with greater than 30% loss of height. Currently, this type of treatment is not feasible. Herein we review the characteristics and methods of operation of three of the most common percutaneous vertebral augmentation systems (PVAS) for the treatment of OVF: Vertebral Body Stenting(®) (VBS), OsseoFix(®) and Spine Jack(®). VBS is a titanium device accompanied by a hydraulic (as opposed to mechanical) working system which allows a partial and not immediate possibility to control the opening of the device. On the other hand, OsseoFix(®) and Spine Jack(®) are accompanied by a mechanical working system which allows a progressive and controlled reduction of the vertebral fracture. Another important aspect to consider is the vertebral body height recovery. OsseoFix(®) has an indirect mechanism of action: the compaction of the trabecular bone causes an increase in the vertebral body height. Unlike the Vertebral Body Stenting(®) and Spine Jack(®), the OsseoFix(®) has no direct lift mechanism. Therefore, for these characteristics and for the force that this device is able to provide. In our opinion, Spine Jack(®) is the only device also suitable for the treatment OVF, traumatic fracture (recent, old or inveterate) and primary or secondary bone tumors.

CONTROVERSIES ON VERTEBROPLASTY AND KYPHOPLASTY FOR VERTEBRAL COMPRESSION FRACTURES

Vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty are widely used for osteoporotic and cancer-related vertebral compression fractures refractory to medical treatment. Many aspects of these procedures have been extensively discussed in the literature during the last few years. In this article, we perform a critical appraisal of current evidence on effectiveness and ongoing controversies regarding surgical technique, indications and contraindications, clinical outcomes and potential complications of these procedures.

Prevention of Acute Proximal Junctional Fractures After Long Thoracolumbar Posterior Fusions for Adult Spinal Deformity Using 2-level Cement Augmentation at the Upper Instrumented Vertebra and the Vertebra 1 Level Proximal to the Upper Instrumented Vertebra

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective cohort analysis.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate efficacy of proximal junction fracture (PJF) prevention in adult spinal deformity (ASD) using 2-level cement augmentation at the construct's proximal extent.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

Prevention of PJF after thoracolumbar fusions is critical because they may result in neurological injury. Cement augmentation of constructs' proximal vertebrae is postulated to decrease PJF.

METHODS

Patients with ASD after PSF from pelvis to thoracolumbar junction with 6 months or more follow-up were retrospectively studied. Demographics, deformity radiographical parameters, and health-related quality of life outcomes (HRQoL) scores were compared with patients with no cement, 2-level cement augmentation at upper instrumented vertebra (UIV) and vertebra 1 level proximal to UIV (UIV+1), and cement at another location ("Other"). Revision surgery for PJF was primary outcome. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used for statistical analysis.

RESULTS

51 patients [female-29; male-22; average age: 65 yr (33-82)] met inclusion criteria (2-level-19; no-cement-23; "Other"-9). Average follow-up (mo) was longer for no-cement (25 ± 15) and "Other" (20 ± 16) than 2-level (15 ± 8) (P = 0.06). All perioperative radiographical parameters were similar, save first postoperative thoracic kyphosis and lumbopelvic mismatch. Compared with 2-level cement, non-2-level cement had significantly more revisions for PJF (0% vs. 19%; P = 0.02). After UIV adjustment, risks of PJF revision surgery were 13.1 times higher for "Other" (95% CI: 0.5-346.5, P = 0.12) and 9.2 times higher (95% CI: 0.4-239.1, P = 0.18) for no-cement. All HRQoL scores improved in 2-level cement; only back/leg pain significantly improved in non-2-level cement. Postoperative Oswestry Disability Index was significantly less in 2-level cement.

CONCLUSION

The use of 2-level cement augmentation (UIV and UIV+1) in PSF from pelvis to thoracolumbar junction for ASD is associated with a decreased rate of acute proximal junctional fractures and associated revision surgeries. As only associations can be demonstrated from this study's design, prospective investigations with larger, consecutive cohorts should be performed to explore causal relationships.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

3.

Stentoplasty effectiveness and safety for the treatment of osteoporotic vertebral fractures: a systematic review

To assess the effectiveness and safety of stentoplasty in people with osteoporotic vertebral body fractures. A systematic search of databases including MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane library, between others, was conducted to June 9, 2014. Clinical trials and observational studies that included alive adults with osteoporotic vertebral body fractures and the comparators were the intervention himself, vertebroplasty or balloon kyphoplasty were selected. Quality of evidence was graded according to the GRADE approach. Two review authors independently selected studies, assessed risk of bias and extracted data. Forty-two citations were identified during the search. After removing duplicates, five studies were included: two clinical trials and three observational studies. Stentoplasty, showed higher rate of adverse events related to material (P=0.043) and cuff pressure (P=0.014) in comparison to kyphoplasty. There was no difference between two procedures in terms of reduction of kyphosis, time of exposure to radiation or postoperative loss of cement. Stentoplasty in comparison to vertebroplasty, showed an improvement of restoration of vertebral height (P=0.042), kyphosis correction and volume of bone cement. No differences were found between two procedures in terms of loss of vertebral body volume. Based on observational studies, stentoplasty improved vertebral height, pain and functional disability at 6 and 12months follow-up, and corrected the angle vertebral fractures in patients with osteoporotic vertebral body. Stentoplasty was presented as a safe procedure in short-medium term, with a low complication rate, a reduced loss of cement and new vertebral body fractures lower rates. Stentoplasty improves vertebral height, reduces the pain and functional disability and correct the vertebral angle in patients with osteoporotic vertebral body fracture with minimum adverse events. Stentoplasty is comparable to kyphoplasty in terms of correction of kyphosis, time of exposure to radiation and cement postoperative loss, and comparable to vertebroplasty in terms of restoration of vertebral height correction and bone cement volume.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level II systematic review.

Comparison of radiological and clinical results of balloon kyphoplasty according to anterior height loss in the osteoporotic vertebral fracture

BACKGROUND CONTEXT

Percutaneous kyphoplasty is effective for pain reduction and vertebral height restoration in patients with osteoporotic vertebral fractures. However, in cases of severely collapsed fractures involving the loss of more than 70% of the vertebral height, kyphoplasty is technically difficult to perform and the outcomes remain unknown.

PURPOSE

To compare the vertebral height restoration rate, kyphotic angle, and clinical results of patients who underwent kyphoplasty according to the degree of anterior vertebral height loss. In addition, to determine the feasibility and effects of kyphoplasty on severely collapsed osteoporotic vertebral fractures.

STUDY DESIGN/SETTING

A retrospective study.

PATIENT SAMPLE

A total of 129 patients (145 vertebrae) who underwent kyphoplasty for osteoporotic painful vertebral fracture and followed up for more than 1 year between September 2005 and August 2012 were recruited for the analysis.

OUTCOME MEASURES

The patients' kyphotic angle, anterior vertebral height, and anterior vertebral height restoration ratio 1 year after surgery were compared. Pre- and postoperative pain around the fractured vertebra and the radiological and clinical results according to bone mineral density (BMD) were also compared.

METHODS

Patients were divided into three groups for comparison, according to radiographic findings. Patients with an anterior height compression ratio more than 70% at the time of fracture comprised Group I, patients with a compression ratio of 50-70% comprised Group II, and those with a compression ratio of 30-50% comprised Group III.

RESULTS

Group I showed a greater extent of anterior height restoration immediately after surgery compared with the other groups, which noticeably decreased over time. All three groups showed significant restoration of the anterior vertebral height between pre- and postoperative values. The anterior vertebral height 1 year after surgery did not differ between Group I and Group II but was significantly higher in Group III. There was no correlation between the BMD and restoration or decrease of anterior vertebral height over time. Pain around the fractured vertebra significantly decreased in all groups immediately and 1 year after surgery compared with preoperative levels, although the pain level 1 year after surgery did not differ significantly between the groups.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with an anterior vertebral compression ratio more than 70% because of osteoporotic vertebral fracture, although the anterior height and kyphotic angle were significantly lower than those of patients with an anterior vertebral compression ratio of 30% to 50%, kyphoplasty significantly improved the degree of pain, restored the anterior vertebral height, and maintained the kyphotic angle. Therefore, kyphoplasty can be a useful approach in patients with an anterior vertebral compression ratio more than 70%.

Two-year results of vertebral body stenting for the treatment of traumatic incomplete burst fractures

PURPOSE

Vertebral body stenting (VBS) was developed to prevent loss of reduction after balloon deflation during kyphoplasty. The aim of this study is the radiological and clinical mid-term evaluation of traumatic incomplete burst fractures treated by vertebral body stenting.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This retrospective study included patients with traumatic thoracolumbar incomplete burst fractures treated with VBS between 2009 and 2010. The outcome was evaluated with the visual analogue pain scale (VAS), the Oswestry Disability Score (ODI), the SF-36 Health Survey and radiologically assessed.

RESULTS

Eighteen patients with an average age of 74.8 years were treated with VBS. Twelve were female and six were male. Two years after the operation the ODI and SF-36 showed a moderate limitation of daily activities and quality of life without neurological deficits. VBS restored the vertebral kyphosis by 3.2° and segmental kyphosis by 5°. A minor sintering was observed at follow-up losing 0.8° vertebral kyphosis and 2.1° segmental kyphosis correction. Two asymptomatic cement leakages were detected.

CONCLUSION

VBS provides clinical outcomes comparable with BKP. The stent allows a reconstruction of the anterior column with reduced subsequent loss of correction.

Cement augmentation in a thoracolumbar fracture model: reduction and stability after balloon kyphoplasty versus vertebral body stenting

STUDY DESIGN

In vitro biomechanical investigation.

OBJECTIVE

To assess differences in kyphosis after balloon kyphoplasty (BKP) or vertebral body stenting (VBS).

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

Cement augmentation techniques allow early mobilization in patients with osteoporotic thoracolumbar fractures. Biomechanically, the grade of reduction and preservation are as important as in nonosteoporotic fractures. With BKP, negative effects of balloon deflation on the reduction and whether specific combinations of materials may preserve the reduction are as yet unclear.

METHODS

Twelve bisegmental human thoracolumbar specimens (6×T12-L2, 6×L3-L5; age at death, 76.3 yr; range, 63-89 yr; female:male ratio, 3:3; bone mineral density, 68.1 g/cm; mean, 12.9 g/cm) were tested in a spine simulator with pure moments of 7.5 Nm to assess primary and secondary stability. After flexibility testing of the intact specimens, an eccentric compression force induced standardized fractures, which were reduced using either BKP or VBS against a flexional moment of 2.5 Nm. Primary and secondary stability were assessed using range of motion in a spine tester. The specimens were tested after each of 3 periods of cyclic flexion loading. The kyphotic angle of the index vertebra was measured radiographically.

RESULTS

The 2 techniques achieved comparable reduction against a relatively high bending moment in this model. Neither technique restored the stability of the intact state; with increasing loads, the range of motion continuously increased to the level of fractured specimen to the level of the fractured specimen. Although the deflation effect on the kyphotic angle was lower with VBS (P≤0.05), there were no significant differences between the techniques relative to angle restoration.

CONCLUSION

Both augmentation techniques are able to restore vertebral body height after thoracolumbar fractures. The deflation effect on the kyphotic angle was less with VBS than with BKP. High flexion moments during implantation limit the effectiveness of reduction using cement augmentation methods.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

N/A.

The effect of postural correction and subsequent balloon inflation in deformity correction of acute osteoporotic vertebral fractures

OBJECTIVE

To determine deformity correction by postural correction and subsequent balloon inflation in acute vertebral compression fractures (OVCFs) and to examine the effect of bone mineral density on deformity correction.

METHODS

A totol of 50 acute OVCFs received balloon kyphoplasty. Lateral radiographs were taken and analyzed at five different time points : 1) preoperative, 2) after placing the patient in prone hyperextended position, 3) after balloon inflation, 4) after deposition of the cement, and 5) postoperative. All fractures were analyzed for height restoration of anterior (Ha), middle (Hm) and posterior (Hp) vertebra as well as Cobb angle and Kyphotic angle. The bone mineral density (BMD) of lumbar spine was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. According to the T-score, the patients were divided into two groups which were osteoporosis group and osteopenia group.

RESULTS

Postoperative measurements of Ha, Hm and the Cobb angle demonstrated significant reduction of 4.62 mm, 3.66 mm and 5.34° compared with the preoperative measurements, respectively (each p<0.05). Postural correction significantly increased Ha by 5.51 mm, Hm by 4.35 mm and improved the Cobb angle by 8.32° (each p<0.05). Balloon inflation did not demonstrate a significant improvement of Ha, Hm or the Cobb angle compared with baseline prone hyperextended. Postural correction led to greater improvements of Ha, Hm and Cobb angle in osteoporosis group than osteopenia group (each p<0.05).

CONCLUSION

In acute OVCFs, the height restoration was mainly attributed to postural correction rather than deformity correction by balloon inflation. BMD affected deformity correction in the process of postural correction.

Comparative review of vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty

The aim of this review is to compare the effectiveness of percutaneous vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty to treat pain and improve functional outcome from vertebral fractures secondary to osteoporosis and tumor conditions. In 2009, two open randomized controlled trials published in the New England Journal of Medicine questioned the value of vertebroplasty in treating vertebral compression fractures. Nevertheless, the practice of physicians treating these conditions has barely changed. The objective of this review is to try to clarify the most important issues, based on our own experience and the reported evidence about both techniques, and to guide towards the most appropriate choice of treatment of vertebral fractures, although many questions still remain unanswered.

New perspective for third generation percutaneous vertebral augmentation procedures: Preliminary results at 12 months

Introduction:

The prevalence of osteoporotic vertebral fractures (OVF) increased in the last years. Compression fractures promote a progressive spine kyphosis increase, resulting in a weight shift and anterior column overload, with OVF additional risk (domino effect). The aim of this study is to evaluate the OVF treatment outcome using Spine Jack^®, a titanium device for third generation percutaneous vertebral augmentation procedures (PVAPs).

Materials and Methods:

From February 2010, a prospective randomized study was performed examining 300 patients who underwent PVAP due to OVF type A1 according to Magerl/AO spine classification. Patients enrolled in the study were divided in two homogenous groups with regards to age (65-85 years), sex, and general clinical findings. Group A included 150 patients who underwent PVAP using Spine Jack^® system; the second, group B (control group), included 150 patients treated by conventional balloon kyphoplasty. Patients underwent a clinical (visual analogue scale and Oswestry disability index) and radiographic follow-up, with post-operative standing plain radiogram of the spine at 1, 6, and 12 months. The radiographic parameters that were taken into account were: Post-operative anterior vertebral body height, pre-operative anterior vertebral body height, cephalic anterior vertebral body height, and caudal anterior vertebral body height.

Results:

Compared to the Spine Jack^® group, the kyphoplasty group required a little longer operation time (an average of 40 min–group A vs. 45 min–group B, P < 0.05) and a greater amount of polymethylmethacrylate (4.0 mL–group A vs. 5.0 mL–group B, P < 0.05;). The post-operative increase in vertebral body height was greater in the Spine Jack^® group than in the kyphoplasty group (P < 0.05).

Discussion:

PVAP are based on the cement injection into the vertebral body. Vertebroplasty does not allow the vertebral body height recovery. Balloon kyphoplasty allows a temporary height restoration. Spine Jack^® has some new features compared to other systems: It is equipped with a mechanical and not a hydraulic opening control; this ensures a gradual and controlled vertebral fracture reduction.

Conclusions:

In our study, we demonstrated that the third generation PVAP with Spine Jack^® is able to determine a safe vertebral body height restoration compared to the conventional balloon kyphoplasty.

Radiographic and safety details of vertebral body stenting: results from a multicenter chart review

Background

Up to one third of BKP treated cases shows no appreciable height restoration due to loss of both restored height and kyphotic realignment after balloon deflation. This shortcoming has called for an improved method that maintains the height and realignment reached by the fully inflated balloon until stabilization of the vertebral body by PMMA-based cementation. Restoration of the physiological vertebral body height for pain relief and for preventing further fractures of adjacent and distant vertebral bodies must be the main aim for such a method. A new vertebral body stenting system (VBS) stabilizes the vertebral body after balloon deflation until cementation. The radiographic and safety results of the first 100 cases where VBS was applied are presented.

Methods

During the planning phase of an ongoing international multicenter RCT, radiographic, procedural and followup details were retrospectively transcribed from charts and xrays for developing and testing the case report forms. Radiographs were centrally assessed at the institution of the first/senior author.

Results

100 patients (62 with osteoporosis) with a total of 103 fractured vertebral bodies were treated with the VBS system. 49 were females with a mean age of 73.2 years; males were 66.7 years old. The mean preoperative anterior-middle-posterior heights were 20.3-17.6-28.0 mm, respectively. The mean local kyphotic angle was 13.1°. The mean preoperative Beck Index (anterior edge height/posterior edge height) was 0.73, the mean alternative Beck Index (middle height/posterior edge height) was 0.63. The mean postoperative heights were restored to 24.5-24.6-30.4 mm, respectively. The mean local kyphotic angle was reduced to 8.9°. The mean postoperative Beck Index was 0.81, the mean alternative one was 0.82. The overall extrusion rate was 29.1%, the symptomatic one was 1%. In the osteoporosis subgroup there were 23.8% extrusions. Within the three months followup interval there were 9% of adjacent and 4% of remote new fractures, all in the osteoporotic group.

Conclusions

VBS showed its strengths especially in realignment of crush and biconcave fractures. Given that fracture mobility is present, the realignment potential is sound and increases with the severity of preoperative vertebral body deformation.

Surgical procedure and initial radiographic results of a new augmentation technique for vertebral compression fractures

PURPOSE

Recently, a new minimally invasive technique called 'vertebral body stenting' (VBS) was introduced for the treatment of osteoporotic vertebral fractures. The technique was developed to prevent the loss of reduction after deflation of the balloon and to reduce the complication rate associated with cement leakage.

METHODS

The amount of kyphosis correction, improvement of vertebral body height and quantitative cement leakage rate by applying CT-based quantitative volumetry after VBS were measured in 27 patients (55 vertebra) and compared with a control group (29 patients, 61 vertebrae), which was treated with conventional vertebroplasty.

RESULTS

After VBS, a significant improvement was seen in vertebral height, compared to conventional vertebroplasty. The mean improvement in segmental kyphosis and vertebral kyphosis were 5.8° (p < 0.05) and 3.5° (p < 0.05), respectively. In the VBS group, the mean injected volume of cement per vertebral body was 7.33 cm(3) (3.34-10.19 cm(3)). The average amount of cement outside the vertebrae was 0.28 cm(3) (0.01-1.64 cm(3)), which was 1.36% of the applied total cement volume. In the vertebroplasty group, the applied mean volume of the cement per level was 2.7 cm(3) (1-5.8 cm(3)) and the average amount of cement outside the vertebrae was 0.15 cm(3) (0.01-1.8 cm(3)), which was 11.5% (0.2-60%) of the applied total volume of cement.

CONCLUSION

The frequency of cement leakage after VBS was 25.5% compared to 42.1% in the vertebroplasty group. VBS led to a significant decrease in the leakage rate compared with conventional vertebroplasty.

Shield kyphoplasty through a unipedicular approach compared to vertebroplasty and balloon kyphoplasty in osteoporotic thoracolumbar fracture: a prospective randomized study

OBJECTIVE

Currently, there are no clinical studies comparing different cement augmentation methods, and no clinical observational studies of a unipedicular approach. DESIGN, PATIENTS, INTERVENTIONS, MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: The present study compared three commercially available vertebral augmentation systems: balloon kyphoplasty, vertebroplasty and shield kyphoplasty. The primary objective was to assess change in subjective severity of backache on a visual analog scale (VAS) and subjective improvement in quality of life on the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), at a mean 6 months post-surgery. The secondary objective was to analyze current radiological imaging (X-ray, and in some cases CT) with regard to height restoration, cement distribution and leakage and recurrent fracture.

RESULTS

Mean follow-up was 5.8 months. Mean preoperative Beck vertebral height index did not significantly differ between the three augmentation system groups (P>0.05). Comparing surgery time, fluoroscopy time and dose-area-product (cGy × cm(2)) showed a statistically significant difference (P<0.01) in favor of the vertebroplasty technique. Augmentation provided significant improvement in VAS pain assessment, but with no significant difference between augmentation systems. Results on the ODI were less pronounced, with significant improvement of 22% to 45%, but again without significant difference between augmentation systems.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, apart from mostly asymptomatic cement leakage, vertebroplasty could be considered as the surgical procedure of choice.

Vertebral body stenting: a new method for vertebral augmentation versus kyphoplasty

Vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty are well-established minimally invasive treatment options for compression fractures of osteoporotic vertebral bodies. Possible procedural disadvantages, however, include incomplete fracture reduction or a significant loss of reduction after balloon tamp deflation, prior to cement injection. A new procedure called “vertebral body stenting” (VBS) was tested in vitro and compared to kyphoplasty. VBS uses a specially designed catheter-mounted stent which can be implanted and expanded inside the vertebral body. As much as 24 fresh frozen human cadaveric vertebral bodies (T11-L5) were utilized. After creating typical compression fractures, the vertebral bodies were reduced by kyphoplasty (n = 12) or by VBS (n = 12) and then stabilized with PMMA bone cement. Each step of the procedure was performed under fluoroscopic control and analysed quantitatively. Finally, static and dynamic biomechanical tests were performed. A complete initial reduction of the fractured vertebral body height was achieved by both systems. There was a significant loss of reduction after balloon deflation in kyphoplasty compared to VBS, and a significant total height gain by VBS (mean ± SD in %, p < 0.05, demonstrated by: anterior height loss after deflation in relation to preoperative height [kyphoplasty: 11.7 ± 6.2; VBS: 3.7 ± 3.8], and total anterior height gain [kyphoplasty: 8.0 ± 9.4; VBS: 13.3 ± 7.6]). Biomechanical tests showed no significant stiffness and failure load differences between systems. VBS is an innovative technique which allows for the possibly complete reduction of vertebral compression fractures and helps maintain the restored height by means of a stent. The height loss after balloon deflation is significantly decreased by using VBS compared to kyphoplasty, thus offering a new promising option for vertebral augmentation.

Vesselplasty: a new technical approach to treat symptomatic vertebral compression fractures

OBJECTIVE

The objective of our study was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of vesselplasty to treat symptomatic vertebral compression fractures (VCFs).

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Twenty-nine patients undergoing vesselplasty at our institution between April 2006 and February 2008 were enrolled in the study. All patients had been undergoing medical therapy for one or more painful VCFs. Pain, mobility, and analgesic use scores were obtained, and restoration of vertebral body height was evaluated. A two-tailed paired Student's t test was used to compare differences in the mean scores for levels of pain, mobility, and analgesic use before and after the procedure and to evaluate changes in vertebral body height. We analyzed the influence of the age of the fracture and its cause in the variations in the pain, mobility, and analgesic use scores.

RESULTS

Seven of the 29 patients had fractures in more than one level, for a total of 37 procedures. The cause of the vertebral collapse was osteoporosis in 27 (73%), high-impact trauma in five (13.5%), myeloma in three (8%), and metastatic fracture in two (5.4%). The average pain score before treatment was 8.72 +/- 1.25 (SD), whereas the average pain score after treatment was 3.38 +/- 2.35. The average mobility score before treatment was 2.31 +/- 1.94, whereas the average mobility score after treatment was 0.59 +/- 1.05 (p < 0.001). The average analgesic use score before treatment was 3.07 +/- 1.46, whereas it was 1.86 +/- 1.90 after treatment (p < 0.001). There was no evidence of clinical complications.

CONCLUSION

Vesselplasty offers statistically significant benefits in improvements of pain, mobility, and the need for analgesia in patients with symptomatic VCFs, thus providing a safe alternative in the treatment of these fractures.

Single-balloon kyphoplasty in osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures : far-lateral extrapedicular approach

Single-balloon kyphoplasty via an extrapedicular approach has been reported to be effective because it requires less time than conventional two-balloon kyphoplasty and has comparable therapeutic efficacy. However, single-balloon kyphoplasty is not popular because the extrapedicular approach is believed to be complicated and unsuitable for the thoracolumbar and lumbar spine. The authors describe a standardized surgical technique that utilizes a far-lateral extrapedicular approach for single-balloon kyphoplasty, which can be performed in any part of the spine by physicians without substantial difficulty.

Kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty produce the same degree of height restoration

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

There are few comparative studies regarding morphologic changes after kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty. The purpose of this study was to compare restoration of vertebral body height and wedge angle and cement leakage with kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty in osteoporotic compression fractures.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Forty patients (57 vertebrae) were treated with kyphoplasty, and 66 patients (124 vertebrae) were treated with vertebroplasty. Cement leakage into the disk space and paravertebral soft tissues or veins was analyzed on immediate postoperative CT scans. The height and wedge angle were measured before and after treatment and analyzed with the Mann-Whitney U test and chi(2) test.

RESULTS

Kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty both improved vertebral body height and the wedge angles (P < .05). However, these differences were not statistically significant when the 2 techniques were compared (P > .05). There were 18% of the kyphoplasty group and 49% of the vertebroplasty group that showed cement leakage into the paravertebral soft tissues or veins (P < .01). Cement leakage into the disk space occurred in 12% of the kyphoplasty group and in 25% of the vertebroplasty group (P < .01). However, no complications related to cement leakage were noted.

CONCLUSIONS

Both kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty achieved the same degree of height restoration and improvement of the wedge angle. Kyphoplasty resulted in less cement leakage into the disk space and paravertebral soft tissues or veins than vertebroplasty.